Belgium vs Slovakia 0-1 Highlights | Euro 2024

Once upon a time, Belgium were a side with the potential to contend for trophies. And though they never quite forced themselves into a major final, their win over Brazil at the 2018 World Cup was one of the great performances.

The problem they have now, though, is that their golden generation have aged, either still in the team because there’s no one else or replaced with players who are less good.

As such, perhaps they need to change things. One thing Domenico Tedesco might does freshen up his XI with young players – Lois Openda did more than enough to keep his place after coming on as sub, while Johan Bakayoko also looked more likely to make something happen than Leandro Trossard. But as well as change personal, he might also try to change mindset: there are various reasons Belgium lost, but perhaps the most significant among them is that Slovakia played with greater moxie and desire: they did not expect to win, they expected to give everything, which turned out to be enough for the win. But had the Red Devils done likewise, things might’ve worked out differently.

This could’ve been almost any Slovakian, but Haraslin gets the nod because he was a constant menace, his enterprise and devil setting the tone.

Belgium: Casteels 6, Castagne 5, Faes 6, Debast 6, Carrasco 5, Mangala 5, Onana 5, Trossard 5, De Bruyne 6, Doku 5, Lukaku 5. Subs: Bakayoko 6, Tielemans 6, Openda 7, Lukebakio 6.

Slovakia: Dubravka 7, Pekalik 7, Vavro 8, Skriniar 8, Hancko 8, Kucka 7, Lobotka 7, Duda 7, Schranz 7, Bozenik 8, Harslin 8. Subs: Strelec 6, Suslov 6, Duris 6, Obert 6.

Since Fifa began its world rankings, no side has beaten a an opponent as many places above it as Slovakia (48th) beating Belgium (second).

3’ – DOKU, PLAYING ON THE RIGHT, IS IMMEDIATELY INTO THE ACTION
He rides a tackle from Hancko, screeches into the box, and squares for De Bruyne, who slides in trying to score, only to send the ball square to Lukaku who, on the half-turn clobbers his finish into Dubravka’s chest. That was a good save, but also a good chance, and that’s the thing with Lukaku: he lacks the class to find deft finishes so every effort is a high-percentage, low-tariff punch.7’ – GOAL!! Belgium 0-1 Slovakia (Schranz) Now then! Almost very game has had an early goal and here’s another – but who predicted this one?! Slovakia win the ball deep inside the Belgium half when someone, Doku I think, gives it away. Bozenik then backheels to Kucka, and though his shot is saved by Casteels, he can’t shovel away form danger, and from an acute angle, Schranz volleys home! He might’ve been offside at the point of the initial shot … but VAR says not!56’ – GOAL!! BELGIUM 1-1 SLOVAKIA (LUKAKU) The corner goes short and for once Slovakia switch off, Trossard allowed time to curve a luscious ball to the far post, where Onana heads back across – he’s celebrating before the ball’s over the line, so good is his knock-back – and Lukaku pokes home.

57’ – BUT WAS LUKAKU OFFSIDE?
He may have been, you know!

58’ – NO GOAL!! BELGIUM 0-1 SLOVAKIA
BLukaku was fractionally ahead of the play when Onana won his header, and Belgium will be feeling very sorry for themselves.

86’ – GOAL! BELGIUM 1-1 SLOVAKIA (LUKAKU) As I was saying! Tedesco has tried everything and it’s Openda who gives him what he needs, chasing a long ball and beating Vavro for pace, skirting around his outside and cutting back for Lukaku to punch back whence it came. Salvation!

89’ – THIS IS GOOD
We see soundwaves which prove ball-to-hand contact, it takes it away from Vavro, and this is going to be disallowed!

89’ – NO GOAL!! BELGIUM 0-1 SLOVAKIA Romelu Lukaku has now had two goals ckalked off – just about correctly this second time. The handball was accidental but perceptibl,e and effective in helping Openda lose Vavro.